Assoc. Dir, Procurement

Merck • Upper Gwynedd Township, PA

19h • $129,000 - $203,100 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Director - Advanced Strategy & Procurement, Large Molecule Pipeline supports the pipeline products as they hand off from our Research & Development Division to our Manufacturing Division and supports the launch readiness strategy. The Associate Director will be actively engaged in the interphase between our Research & Development Division and our Manufacturing Division by providing supporting strategic sourcing solutions during the evolution of new Pipeline products and is accountable for driving critical elements of strategy design, decision‑making, and implementation.
The Associate Director will be responsible for collecting, synthesize, and current market trends and dynamics, competitive environment, supplier landscape, and industry best practices to inform and shape sourcing strategies. This role will lead the development and refinement of end‑to‑end sourcing strategies and clearly communicate recommendations to senior stakeholders.
The Associate Director will set, collaboratively along with other key functions, to define and execute the overall sourcing strategy and ensure seamless implementation across all modalities until launch + 2 years. Responsibilities include leading option evaluations, assessing sourcing risks and mitigation plans, evaluating dual‑sourcing options, driving upstream material and components harmonization for both internally and externally manufactured pipeline products.
The Associate Director will closely work with Global Operations Sourcing to ensure alignment of strategy and execution, Research and Development Sourcing & Procurement for handoff of pipeline projects and External Manufacturing for strategy generation and implementation.
The Associate Director will liaise with our Research & Development Division, and our Manufacturing Division, External Manufacturing, Supplier Development and Performance Management group, Supply Chain, Legal, Finance and other critical functions, and will be representing Direct Materials Procurement in key milestone-setting and review committees and regularly presenting updates, risks, and recommendations to senior leadership.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Science or Engineering.
• Minimum of seven years’ experience in the Pharma Industry.
• Minimum of two years’ experience in procurement, supply management or related areas.
• Experience with product development and commercialization.
• Experience with CMO commercialization and strategy development.
• Negotiations, stakeholder management, financial acumen.

Nice To Haves

• Preference in strong technical skills and understanding of process development needs and challenges, understanding the GMP manufacturing environment, various technologies, costing, supply chain and operational management.
• Direct experience in a GMP manufacturing environment and deep understanding of technology complexity vs cost
• Experience with data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., dashboards) to support decision making is a plus.

Responsibilities

• As a key leader of category, accountable for development and implementation of robust sourcing strategies that link to core business deliverables while leveraging the marketplace and supplier community.
• Delivers exemplary results and sponsorship and creating/leading cross-functional teams.
• Upon receiving approval for sourcing strategies, oversee/execute sourcing levers (including but not limited to RFx, negotiations, contracting activities).
• Deliver functional leadership, strategy, and policy input to help build a high‑performance engagement model with the business.
• Partner with stakeholders outside of Procurement to ensure alignment to objectives, timelines, and risk tolerance and translate business, technical, and supply chain requirements into clear sourcing roadmaps, options, and recommendations.
• Collaborate with partner groups to assess early Bill of Material for risks, identify materials and components that require additional sourcing, and implement strategies to mitigate risks. Be knowledgeable of supplier negotiations, contractual terms, financial acumen and make versus buy analysis.
• Utilize and champion sourcing management as a structured, rigorous process, ensuring appropriate documentation, compliance, and transparency.
• Drive strategic projects such as portfolio harmonization, dual sourcing implementation, and cost to serve optimization
• Utilize/drive sourcing management as a structured process including sourcing rigor.
• Drive / Create breakthrough strategies that deliver quick wins and sustainable business value.
• Proactively identify and promote innovation opportunities from suppliers and the external market that can benefit pipeline products and manufacturing strategies.
• Apply high‑quality change management practices with customers and stakeholders, helping to design and implement sustainable processes and ways of working.
• Be a role model for our Company Leadership Standards, demonstrating accountability, inclusion, and enterprise thinking.
• Ensure that every supplier relationship is established with an intent of continuous improvement, and support or lead the measurement and review process to ensure delivery of expectations.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives across sourcing processes, tools, and analytics to improve speed, quality, and decision‑making.
• Work in a way that positively engages and influences business colleagues using strong problem‑solving, transparency, and proactive communication.
• Build and maintain a sourcing management pipeline, ensuring stakeholder alignment, prioritization, and adherence to supply management processes.
• Actively support, both within our Company as well as expanding relationships and spend with Suppliers.
• Must have keen insight and understanding of business requirements on a 1/3/5 year horizon, and partners GP and business peers to drive cost reductions.
• Implement Supplier Value Management with the key suppliers in this category to foster innovation, manage supplier performance, establish appropriate governance model, and ensure continuous improvement.

Benefits

• medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family)
• retirement benefits, including 401(k)
• paid holidays
• vacation
• compassionate and sick days
• annual bonus
• long-term incentive

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director